PROFILE IN COURAGE

Our dear brother Shri Premnarain Mohlajee passed away in the early hours of 10^th may 2020 at Chicago USA, leaving behind a large grieving family, friends and admirers. He was an extraordinary human being.

Born in a very pious Brahmin family of Lahore in the year 1935 he showed glimpses of his rich versatile personality in his childhood.

I vividly remember him as a loving and caring elder brother. 

His universal love was manifest in nature especially birds and cows. He had a large collection of beautiful birds and pigeons etc.

The year1947, partition of India changed fortunes of millions of Indians. The affluent Mohlajee family had to leave their many properties and other assets in Lahore. Travelling through blood soaked fields of Punjab the family moved to Delhi to be housed in a two roomed flat in Delhi’s non-descript locality. Despite losing all worldly possessions great Mohlajee parivar staunchly persisted with their customary warmth and hospitality. The modest 2 room Delhi flat was open to a large number of relatives. At times up to 25 members would share 2 rooms and a toilet joyfully. It was quite unbelievable, by standards of today.

Prem Bhai affectionately called Chotta (younger one) resumed his studies and also started playing cricket. Soon he excelled in this game and had the honor of captaining Delhi schools eleven. His cricketing career was interrupted by a freak accident and was run over by a Tonga (horse driven carriage) while has was cycling to work. After receiving treatment which cannot be rated as top class, he was on the ground with one of his legs permanently damaged. Practicing regularly even with his infirmity he was soon selected to captain Indian railways and his club- Friends cricket club. As a wicker keeper opening batsman he gave us many outstanding performances. He learnt Tabla playing from Pandit Amarnath who was a disciple of legendary musician USTAD Amir Khan. Besides, he was a voracious reader of classical books then.

Mahender another super gem of this family has been source of inspiration to whole generation of our time. He offered to arrange for his admission for higher studies in USA. Prem Bhai readily agreed to his suggestion. Admission for MBA program was arranged in Howard University. As India was facing severe forex crunch RBI declined his application. Prem Bhai readily agreed to another suggestion of Mahender to seek admission for an engineering course-intention being to switch over to original MBA program on reaching USA. 

Being born with a strong desire to succeed in everything he did, he courageously accepted the challenge of pursuing engineering studies- which he did with outstanding success.

 After massive struggle over two decades it was time to settle down. Prem Bhai returned to India for getting married. He faced usual prejudice to disability, however small it was. He faced some disappointments. A proposal from one of his friend was readily accepted. Suman bhabi an extremely charming person with polite and cultured manner was to become his bride. 

The young couple settled in a suburb of Chicago in their beautiful home. 

They were blessed with two beautiful daughters Anu and Anju.

Along with his highly successful engineering career true to his roots he pursued his interest in classical music by hosting Indian master’s program. The artists would stay with them as Prem Bhai would treat them with Indian delicacies. Amongst his several hobbies was cooking which was extremely varied and the best. The couple enlivened the NRI social circle with warmth and hospitality. Prem Bhai regularly contributed to a weekly on current affairs. The couple even acted in a play that was widely appreciated.

Farewell brother we shall meet in another time.

We shall keep missing you as we all deeply love you.

In deep grief

Madan